jorgerr96 said:

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Kimi driving the 2022 Merc this morning

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"I'm massively excited to be in Austin," said Hamilton, who won the 2007 USGP at Indianapolis before the race went dark for five years before COTA was opened. "Indianapolis was a good time. But I think this place is very special. It's one of the best new circuits we have. A single lap is exciting and then we get this amazing crowd turnout that keeps getting bigger.

"And they just do it differently here, right? I would say us Europeans are good at sports, but there are things we've learned in terms of how we put on the show to grow our audience. Austin is always such a fun place, and they know how to put on a show."

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"I was just so in love with the barbecue. It was the first time I ever tried brisket. I didn't even know what brisket was!"

Ricciardo was hooked on the cuisine and the vibe.

"I was watching live music every night and, no matter how big or small, it was just such a cool experience. The people were awesome. I felt like they were just uniquely cool and the way they dressed, and it was just something that felt like a real genuine place to hang out."

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Vettel is a bit nostalgic as his last U.S. race arrives.

"After Indianapolis fell off the calendar and we didn't go back to the USA for a few years, we didn't really know how popular F1 would be," he said. "I remember being a bit surprised and pleased when we arrived in Austin. What's always impressed me about COTA is that it just draws so many people in, and the fans I meet are really into F1 they are properly into the sport."

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"It's one of the best circuits in F1, but the crowds make the event so special," Vettel said. "They are amazing. You get carried by the support of so many fans. "

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Swollen Thumb said:

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Question from a newby. How is COTA perceived among the teams/drivers? Your comment about F2&3 drivers wanting to take a spin there made me curious. Its location basically in the middle of rural TX has always struck me as a odd destination for such a sought after spot on the F1 calendar when you look at the other incredible world-wide venues and even Miami and Vegas in the US. So I assume it must be viewed as one hell of a circuit?

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World Champion Max Verstappen has now won the last three Grands Prix at COTA, and he led the calls for changes.

"It needs to be redone because at the moment it feels like it's better suited to a rally car," said Verstappen. "Like I'm jumping and bouncing around. In an F1 car probably you don't even see it as much because of course we are glued to the ground because of the downforce but the bumps and jumps that we have in some places, this is way too much. I don't think it's F1 level. I love this track.

"Honestly, the layout is amazing but we definitely need new tarmac and it needs to be a lot smoother for the coming years because we already asking for this for I think quite a few years, and it's not really been done."

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"I like some of some of the bumps because it adds character to a circuit, but there's way too many," said Hamilton. "As drivers in the GPDA [Grand Prix Drivers' Association] we are open to discussing with them and helping them, like maybe not doing the whole thing so it costs a fortune. From the last corner to the start line, for example, that's smooth but then the rest of it might not be. The pit lane is smooth but there are other areas that for sure they could patch up and improve."

McLaren driver Lando Norris backed up the comments of Verstappen and Hamilton, and also added his own advice.

"It would be helpful if they didn't put tarmac in a braking zone as well," said Norris. "They've resurfaced some places and they start the tarmac at the 100-metre board into Turn 12, which is where we brake. So just little things they could do. From what I heard they're resurfacing the first sector or something next year, so we'll hope it's a little bit better."

COTA has a contract to host the U.S. Grand Prix through 2026.

Elsewhere on the championship's schedule organizers of the Canadian Grand Prix have undertaken a full resurfacing of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in order to ready the new tarmac for the 2024 event next June.

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jorgerr96 said:

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MotoGP riders are the ones that call out the bumps a lot too, more than F1 cause it affects them more. I recall the last big criticizement COTA had was in 2021 because of the sausage kerbs, Abbie Eaton from W Series suffered some fractures and I recall a driver from F4 US did as well. Vettel was the one that called out the thing on sunday

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jorgerr96 said:

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https://formulascout.com/michel-reveals-attempted-discussions-to-bring-f2-to-miami-and-us-gps/122285

if Miami gets F2 first before COTA i am going to ****ing lose it

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Wheatables02 said:

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jorgerr96 said:

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https://formulascout.com/michel-reveals-attempted-discussions-to-bring-f2-to-miami-and-us-gps/122285

if Miami gets F2 first before COTA i am going to ****ing lose it

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In DFW I'm hearing chatter that COTAs contract is up after this year and they are looking at Arlington for a few years to replace it. I've only seen this on a tweet weeks ago and I don't believe it at this time….

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Gladiator 96 said:

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Rumors of Jack Doohan to Alpine to race with Gasly

🚨 | Jack Doohan is on the verge of signing a deal with the Alpine Formula 1 team that will see him race alongside Pierre Gasly next year.

Although it is understood that a final contract has not been signed yet, it is suggested that the formalities will be completed in the near… pic.twitter.com/Zd2PdskIPk

— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) July 31, 2024

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🚨 BREAKING: Jonathan Wheatley will be departing Red Bull to join Audi as their Team Principal at the end of this season

[@ErikvHaren] pic.twitter.com/02UuRwwQiX

— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) August 1, 2024

jorgerr96 said:

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https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/07/31/circuit-of-the-americas-f1-ticket-sales-up

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